Marion van Dijk Joseph Stermi, left, Delphi Dixon and Frances Steri enjoy a bacon and egg butty at the TVONE Breakfast Show Jetstar Launch at the 1903 Square this morning.

The sizzling sound of 200 eggs frying and the alluring aroma of bacon proved to be a popular way to welcome airline Jetstar to the region.

More than 200 people munched on bacon butties and sipped coffee at a Jetstar launch event in 1903 Square this morning after the airline announced on Monday that Nelson would be one of four regional destinations it will fly from in December.

Eva Knox of Jetstar marketing New Zealand said the response from Nelson had been positive since the announcement was made.

Eva Knox of Jetstar marketing New Zealand.

"People here are really happy about the announcement, it's a chance to bring more people from Wellington and Auckland to the region," she said.

She said 16,000 airfares were sold across New Zealand on Monday after the airline advertised $9 airfares.

If the cheap fare was missed, Knox confirmed that a standard fare between Nelson and Auckland will be $49, and Nelson to Wellington would be $45.

"It's not about us stealing [market] share, it's about expanding the market and getting more people travelling," she said.

"Nelson is the new Queenstown and it's an amazing gateway to the top of the south."

Nelson mother Delphi Dixon said she was thrilled the airline chose Nelson, especially given her family of nine children frequently visit Auckland.

"My husband has family in Auckland, with nine kids we've just taken the van up to Auckland before but [Jetstar] will make a huge difference she said.